Controversial tennis shoes withdrawn from sale by Nike because they featured an old version of the American flag are selling online for almost £2,000.

The Air Max 1 USA feature a version of the US flag with 13 white stars in a circle, representing the 13 original American colonies.

Known as the Betsy Ross flag, it has been used by white nationalist groups to represent a time when slavery was legal in the US.

On Monday, a Nike spokesperson said it had "chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured an old version of the American flag".

The shoes were going on sale to mark Independence Day on 4 July. After they were pulled from the shelves, the few people who managed to get a pair took advantage by selling them online.

Advertisement

Image: Ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he found the flag offensive

A pair on StockX was on sale for £136 on 25 June, but by Tuesday afternoon, the asking price was just short of £2,000.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Nike withdrew the shoe after Colin Kaepernick said he and others found the flag offensive.

More from US

However, not everyone agreed with the former NFL quarterback.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey vowed to withdraw incentives for a new Nike factory in the state in retaliation for the shoemaker's "shameful retreat".

Air Max 1 USA (2019). The flag was controversial enough for Nike to pull the shoes from sale but they are still being sold on secondary websites
Image: The shoe was pulled due to the use of the flag but not before some people got hold of it

Mr Ducey wrote on Twitter: "Instead of celebrRead More – Source

[contf] [contfnew]

Sky News

[contfnewc] [contfnewc]